At least for a game like Sonic 4 which is a sequel to physics-based platformers those sorts of complaints about controls and physics have more weight behind them than just basic nitpicking.
When I visited Sonic Retro a few days ago to read up about any Generations mods and looked into the Episode 2 thread out of curiosity it'd already descended into complaining about how the trees in the background of Aquatic Ruins look too similar to the trees in the background of that snow level. Now THAT is whining.
2 sides of the same coin to me. I simply cannot see why its so important to have real world physics in a game that stars a anthropomorphic blue hedgehog that can some how run at the speed of sound, collects thousands of gold rings that disappear into seemingly negative space and has a main rival that seems to have a endless supply of metal and techincal knowhow to make traps and obstacles
"bububu thats what it was like in the classics...."
So the fuck what? Grow a pair and move the hell on if you don't like it. Sonic was ALWAYS for kids 8-10, was then, is now. Most kids that age wouldn't give a rats ass. Take your man-children complexes elsewhere. Don't like it, vote with your wallet.
NeoGaf is actually pretty tame, but the opinions i read on here still seem to come from the same mentality. Personally, if something I once liked was in my view consistently shit for 10+ years, i wouldn't even pay attention to it anymore. I would have long moved on with my life.